A cup of coffee is a common way to start the day for most people. It is harmless for healthy people. But, coffee may make it more difficult for someone with type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels.
Does caffeine affect blood sugar?
Coffee was once considered bad for health. Yet, there is growing evidence that it may offer protection against cancers, liver conditions, and even depression. Additionally, there is strong evidence to support the idea that increasing your coffee consumption may actually reduce your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Coffee may have negative effects on people who already have type 2 diabetes.
The health benefits of coffee on diabetes vary.
Almost 100,000 persons were followed by Harvard researchers for nearly 20 years. They focused on a four-year period, and their findings were eventually published in this 2014 study. They discovered that those who drink more than one cup every day have an 11% decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, those who reduce their coffee consumption by one cup had a 17% higher chance of developing diabetes. Why coffee has such a great effect on the development of diabetes is unclear.
Short-term studies have indicated that caffeine raises blood sugar and insulin levels.
One short study involving men found that drinking decaffeinated coffee caused a sharp blood sugar rise. There are currently few studies on the effects of caffeine and diabetes, and more research is required.
Effect of caffeine on insulin and blood sugar
Some studies suggest that drinking plain black coffee may be harmful to those who already have type 2 diabetes.
According to a 2004 study, people with type 2 diabetes who took a caffeine capsule before eating had higher post-meal blood glucose levels and higher insulin resistance.
A recent study from 2018 suggests that a hereditary component may be involved. Caffeine metabolism and the effects it has on blood sugar may be influenced by genes. Blood sugar levels were higher in people who metabolized caffeine slower than in those who metabolize caffeine faster genetically. Long-term consumption of caffeinated coffee may alter how it affects the body’s sensitivity to insulin and glucose.
A more recent study from 2018 revealed that coffee and caffeine long-term effects may be associated with a decreased risk of developing prediabetes and diabetes.
The reason behind caffeine’s impact
Researchers are still examining the impact of caffeine on insulin and blood sugar levels and they believe it may work this way :
- Caffeine increases the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline or epinephrine. Epinephrine can prevent your cells from processing sugar and your body from making as much insulin.
- It blocks adenosine, a protein, which plays a significant role in how much insulin your body makes. It also manages how your cells react to it. Caffeine maintains adenosine, which is important for insulin production.
- Caffeine may keep you awake. Your insulin sensitivity may be decreased by a lack of sleep.
What level of caffeine is too much?
Caffeine can affect your blood sugar levels at just 200 mg, which is equivalent to one or two cups of brewed coffee or three or four cups of black tea.
Caffeine tolerance varies from person to person. Different people may respond differently to the drug, which depends on things like age or weight. Coffee consumers with diabetes do not have higher blood sugar levels than non-drinkers. Visit us to know if caffeine raises your blood sugar levels.
Caffeine in coffee
It’s been found that drinking coffee reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes in the first place. That, according to experts, is a result of the beverage’s strong antioxidant content. These substances lessen inflammation in your body, which may raise your chance of developing the disease.
But if you already have type 2 diabetes, the caffeine in coffee makes it more difficult to manage your blood sugar.